Right, so leagues with deep pockets can make it work: even the sputtering MLB is putting games on the air. But there are tons of smaller-than-CFL leagues that are also making it work. Why does it seem that the only failure is the precise size of league that the CFL is? Bigger: no problem. Smaller: no problem. But CFL size? nope, can't do it. Serious question.
It reminds me of that scene from Oh Brother Where Art Thou:
Well ain't this place a geographical oddity! Two weeks from everywhere!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ4z0QhD92YCFL is too small to play. CFL is too big to play. CFL is a league-o-graphical oddity.
Or is it that all those bigger and smaller leagues are more financially viable than the CFL? Is the CFL really that pathetic that it's in worse financial condition than the Polish Football League and the Goldeyes league? Serious question. And you think other leagues aren't playing even though they are losing money too? I'm sure many other leagues are playing at a loss, or their governments put a higher value on helping them play to boost public morale in a dark time.
If a 0.2%-0.5% virus (per the WHO and CDC) causes this much disruption to the world (and football), I shudder to think what the people will allow their governments to do when a virus that is more deadly vis a vis history (5-30% CFR) shows up and takes 3 years to clear.
And still no one has answered my question: what do we do if April 2021 rolls around and there's no useful vaccine and the virus is still smouldering like it is now? The chance that comes to pass is non-zero. I'd guess 25%. Every argument provided as to why we can't play now will apply just the same then. Do we shut down football in 2021 too? Kiss the CFL goodbye then.
Me and you both, fellow fan!
You keep mentioning the Goldeyes. The Goldeyes are playing out of Fargo, in the US, where they're allowing attendance because 'Merica. That means revenue. That's the difference.
You are right that the CFL is in a weird financial zone compared to other leagues. Too small for big TV contracts like the big 4 in North America, and too big to not need a significant revenue source like e.g. a Polish gridiron football league where I bet Hansen is playing for kubasa lunches. Not sure what the attendance policy is in former Soviet bloc countries.